Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.
Running it back:
On a night when three former Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium, the spotlight on Friday will fall on four new starters making their home debut for the team. ... Joe Flacco said he thinks of himself as a top-five NFL quarterback. ... Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will continue to rehab his right shoulder rather than have surgery to repair a small tear. ... Ed Norton's birthday wish is for Cal Ripken Jr. to save the Orioles.
Hitting the links:
1. Mike Preston: The Ravens have a few areas to improve, but the most competitive battle is at inside linebacker [Baltimore Sun]
2. Do fans really want Dennis Dixon? And do they actually think the Ravens and Steelers would be trade partners? [Ravens.com]
3. The Ravens benefit from all these touchbacks [Sporting News]
4. Lee Evans is trying to get comfortable [MASN]
5. Think Jamaal Charles remembers Terrence Cody? [Baltimore Beat Down]
6. Previewing this week's preseason slate, including Ravens-Chiefs [SI]
7. Here are some players to watch against K.C. [Ravens Insider]
8. Here are 10 more players to watch [CSN Baltimore]
9. A Ravens rookie has ties to the late Sean Taylor [Ravens Insider]
10. Jermaine Lewis talked to TMZ about his arrest [TMZ]
11. Manny Machado is one reason for hope [The Loss Column]
12. But Machado is in no rush to join the Orioles [MLB.com]
13. Is Matt Wieters tired? [Dempsey's Army]
14. Who's the Most Valuable Oriole? [MASN]
15. Taking a look at the Orioles' draft spending [Camden Chat]
16. The Orioles should sign these free agents [Baltimore Sports Report]
17. Mike Leach interviewed Randy Edsall [D.C. Sports Bog]
18. Baltimore lawyer Venroy July handles corporate litigation by day and a speed bag by night [Baltimore Sun]
Video of the morning:
When bobbleheads attack soccer goalies [via Hot Clicks]
Send me your funny and/or interesting links, photos, YouTube videos, blogs, Tweets, comments, emails, ideas, etc. and I'll give you a plug. You can reach me at Matt.Vensel@baltsun.com and twitter.com/mattvensel.